Newly released internal documents show BP PLC estimated 4.2 million gallons (15.9 million liters) of oil a day could gush from a damaged well in the Gulf of Mexico if all equipment restricting the flow was removed and company models were wrong.

Democratic Massachusetts Congressman Ed Markey released the documents Sunday showing BP said in a worst-case scenario the leak could gush between 2.3 million gallons (8.7 million liters) and 4.2 million gallons (15.9 million liters) of oil per day.

The current worst-case estimate of what's leaking is 2.5 million gallons (9.46 million liters) a day.

The documents anticipate a scenario where the blowout preventer and other equipment on the sea floor were removed, which was never done.

BP spokesman Tony Odone said the documents were submitted to Congress before BP America President Lamar McKay testified in early May.